Google Algorithm Updates can impact your website rankingThe standard definition of Google Algorithm Updates is a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps. Google almost changes its algorithms each and every day, nearly 500-600 times in a year.

Among these updates, some are minor and some are so major that can impact your ranking in the SERP(search engine result page).

The 4 major updates arePandaPenguinHummingbirdPigeon

Did any of the updates impact your organic traffic in any way? Let’s read on to find out what each of the updates is about, what are the main threats.

1. PANDA

Google Panda launched on February 24, 2011.

Panda update was assigned to check for quality content to rank the web page in SERP. Its main aim was to fight against Spam or duplicate or thin content.

This update mainly targets articles sites and affiliate websites.

Threats:Duplicate contentThin contentPlagiarismLow-quality contentKeyword stuffing– To keep safe the websites hitting Google Panda is “Do not copy content and make sure you have ethical content”.

-Re-writing content and providing a reference won’t hit panda.

2. Penguin

Google Penguin launched on April 24, 2012.

Penguin update was assigned to target websites which used spammy link building techniques and using manipulative links to improve search ranking on the search engine rank page (SERP).

From 2016, Penguin has become a part of Google’s core ranking updates and operates in real time, which means that penalties are now applied faster, and recovery also takes less time.

Hummingbird update doesn’t target the websites directly but targets it indirectly. Its main aim was to interpreting search queries or automatic logic for converting the queries.

Threats:Keyword stuffingProviding exact keyword match4. Pigeon

Google pigeon launched on July 24, 2014.

Pigeon update was assigned to stop manipulating the local search results and to provide high-quality local search results to the users. Its main aim was to stop spamming the local listings in the local search result.